Teaching A level dance - what qualifications

[JulieW]

Do you need any specific qualifications to teach A level dance (I'm thinking in a private institution not a state school)?

[Picturesinthefirelight]

No. And state school teaches often arnt dancers. They may be PE teachers.

[JulieW]

That's true - I'd forgotten that. Seems odd though as there quite a lot of academics - surely they need some teaching qualification? (I'm thinking more of the fact they're teaching an A level rather than the dance aspect(

[invisiblecircus]

I think it depends on the institution.

 

I'm a bit out of touch as I've been living out of the UK for a while, but a PGCE is usually required to teach in a state school, although it might be possible to teach dance as a freelance specialist (I have done this as a maternity cover without having done a PGCE or any other kind of teaching qualification.)

 

In the past, no specific qualification was needed to teach in further education colleges although relevant experience such as a degree in dance was expected. I think FE colleges are now moving towards having all their teachers do PGCEs, but it may be possible to do this on the job.

 

As far as I know, there is still no legal requirement for teachers in private schools to hold any specific qualification, but in reality, most do.

[Picturesinthefirelight]

The majority of teachers in state & private schools do have a PGCE - but your op asked if a specific qualification was needed & it isn't as long as you can convince someone you are up to the job!!

[Lisa O`Brien]

I know that usually on the eteach website there are normally lots of vacancies for teachers at independent schools. But have no idea if any of the schools require teachers to be qualified or not.

[Legseleven]

As far as I know, a PGCE isn't specifically required if teaching in an independent school. The teachers will certainly be qualified in their subjects and will undergo a similar assessment and interview process as in state schools, i.e. they will have to prove their ability to teach to the satisfaction of the interview panel.

 

In practice most teachers in independent schools will nevertheless have a PGCE.

[Kate_N]

No, PGCEs (or indeed any specific qualification) are not required for appointment to a post in an independent school. And are not required in academies (which are State-funded). That said, the better independent schools often have very highly qualified teachers - with PHDs in their subjects - and can afford to bring in industry experts for creative & performing arts subjects. 

 

Caveat emptor, I suppose. Although not possible so much within the state-funded system ...

[JulieW]

Thanks everyone - question answered!

[drdance]

These days you don't even need QTS to teach in a state school - especially if it's an academy. Most job adverts will state that experience teaching the GCSE specification is essential though, so unless you've done it privately at, say, a local dance school (some do offer GCSE dance) then the only way of doing that is through a PGCE or similar.

[Lisa O`Brien]

Julie, Bath Spa University offer lots of Dance degrees,combined with different subjects; Geography, Business and Management, History etc. One of the courses is Dance and Education Studies [Dance and Primary Teaching Pathway]. There are also other unis who offer Dance degrees; on their own and also combined with different subjects. Bath Spa was the first one that came up in a Which Uni search.

[JulieW]

Thanks Lisa but I wasn't looking for where to learn to be a teacher, more wondering about whether someone could teach A level without formal qualifications

[drdance]

Thanks Lisa but I wasn't looking for where to learn to be a teacher, more wondering about whether someone could teach A level without formal qualifications

Theoretically, yes, anyone can do it. How well, though, may be questionable.